KENTUCKY EXTENSION IPM IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM: 2024-2027

Project Methods
Grain CropsFocus groups indicated that we need simplified outputs that define IPM, describe successful implementation, and bridge the gap between research and on-farm implementation. We will work a communication specialist to develop short, multi-disciplinary infographics for stakeholders. We will develop social-media friendly videos that describe IPM strategies and document "success stories" of implemented programs. We will rebuild the UK Grain Crops IPM website for easy access. These materials will be developed in coordination with Dr. Hester, and coordinated with the Specialty Crops group to improve messaging. An evaluation of the impact of this material will be conducted in Years 2 and 3. We collaborate with the UK PSEP to develop materials for private applicator training. The wide audience of pesticide applicators is less familiar with IPM options. Improved training material for private applicators is key for communicatoins about IPM. We will develop several videos each year, hands-on activities, and training materials for IPM awareness and IPM adoption. We will work closely with the KDA Kentucky PSEP, and national pest management societies to understand new EPA ESA restrictions for pesticides. We will develop materials and training for farmers, crop consultants, and pesticide applicators on how to implement these new restrictions. We will continue to build and improve IPM extension trainings through in-person, virtual, and field-based programs. We will continue to develop the UK Crop Protection Webinar Series hosted through the SIPM Center. We will expand the UK Pest Management Field Day to display field-based IPM projects. We will continue to build the Kentucky Crop Health Conference (KCHC) as an annual event, with the goal of becoming the premier pest management conference in Kentucky. We collaborate with the Kentucky Agriculture Training School (KATS) to provide content and hands-on activities for grain crops and KATS trainings. Insect surveys will use both scouting and trapping methods. Corn and soybean diseases will be monitored for threats that are in bordering states. We report several of these pests on the nationally available EDD maps system. We will also survey corn nematodes and soybean viruses to map their distribution. We will also track herbicide-resistant weed species using the KY Herbicide Resistant Weed Screening Program.KATSWe will conduct multiple in-depth, hands-on field trainings to educate agricultural practitioners on IPM approaches for best management options . These trainings involve multiple faculty from UKREC and main campus . The KATS format provides in-depth, hands-on training for critical crop growth stages and specific management operations to participants. Workshops target significant stages of a crop cycle to provide that knowledge to their stakeholders in that season. Small groups allow us to provide individualized training on the particular topics that enables participants to pose many and diverse questions. We strive to educate both the next generation of educators and current practitioners by training the trainers. Certified Crop Advisors and pesticide applicators receive CEU credits as appropriate.Specialty CropsGrower IPM surveys will focus on solanaceous crops (Year 1), cucurbits (Year 2), and cole crops (Year 3). These grower priorities will be made available online. We will continue to work with a communication specialist for IPM implementation. To date, this working group has published 12 full color scouting guides, with eight of them developed into mobile applications. The final guide, IPM Scouting Guide for Blueberries, will be completed and available in print, pdf download, and mobile app. Guides covering legumes, sweet corn, cucurbits, solanaceous crops, and cole crops will be converted to mobile applications. At least 5 fruit and 5 vegetable video resources will be developed according to grower priorities identified. At least 5 fruit and 5 vegetable publications will be developed based on these priorities. Fruit surveys have been completed, and priorities include pheromone trapping technology, rust diseases of pear, and the role of plant health in disease resistance. Vegetable priorities are expected to include solarization, mitigation of postharvest losses, anthracnose management in cucurbits, and best use of cover crops. Resources will be disseminated through existing social media platforms, newsletters, and email listservs. A workshop series will be hosted for agents in Year 1 and Year 3, each to include a 10-webinar series and 2 hands-on training events. Topics will include production and pest management best practices, and delivery will include hands on activities such as mock site visits, diagnosing pests, and calculating pesticides and fertilizers. Field days will be hosted annually for all stakeholders to include a how-to series on using cultural practices, including use of electronic pest monitoring devices. Demonstration plots with these field days will include: biofumigation (Year 1), solarization (Year 2), and efficacy of disease resistant cucurbit cultivars (Year 3). An annual Fruit/Vegetable Short Course live streamed with on-demand access will cover production and IPM; pumpkins (Year 1), high tunnel tomatoes (Year 2), and strawberries (Year 3). Each training program will include before and after assessments.PDDLPromote adoption of IPM practices to diverse stakeholders by providing accurate, timely disease diagnostic and management information. Adding IPM-focused information to diagnostic reports increases IPM adoption, while linking relevant Extension guides, factsheets, articles, and videos expands reach of educational materials. Agents and stakeholders will be surveyed annually on new educational materials that are most needed. The PDDL conducts disease surveillance. Regular diagnostic summaries will be presented in the Kentucky Pest News newsletter and as basis commodity-based Extension articles, disease alerts, and programming. The PDDL will collaborate with other working groups in targeted disease surveillance projects requiring development and implementation of molecular pathogen identification. Disease survey projects are proposed as follows: Wheat virus survey including development and validation of multiplex PCR assay for in-house use; Blueberry root disease survey and pathogen speciation; and Cucurbit powdery mildew survey pathogen speciation.The PDDL contributes to IPM Pipe, NPDN National Data Repository, and other federal databases. The PDDL will achieve NPDN Core Accreditation in Year 2 (2025). Agent trainings for disease identification and sample submission techniques will be used. Extension agents will be provided half-day, hands-on, small group training sessions in the basics of diagnosis, 5x per year. Participants will critique sample quality, perform triage of a samples, learn of various lab techniques, and review diagnostic reports to improve communication.PSEPCreation of IPM matching exercises where applicators are presented with a pest photo and instructed to 1) identify the pest, 2) match the pest to a description of its biology, and 3) connect it to specific IPM strategies that are used for management. Individual exercises will be commodity specific, so training will be tailored to what the applicator is managing. We plan to develop a minimum of four exercises per year. Develop IPM chapters for the 1a Ag Plant, 3 Ornamental, Turf and Lawn Care, and 10 Research and Demonstration applicator training manuals. We expect to update one manual with a chapter on IPM during each year of this grant. Translate the category specific training manuals for 1a Ag Plant, 2 Forestry, and 7C Wood Treatment commercial applicator training manuals into Spanish using generative AI. The approach will be to use AI to translate each manual, then back translate into English and compare to the original for content. We will translate 1 commercial manual per year.